The company said it has "left with no choice" but to relocate capacity to more competitive countries such as Albania, regional Italy and Sweden
07:18, Tue, May 12, 2026 Updated: 07:22, Tue, May 12, 2026
Ryanair passengers board a plane at the Thessaloniki Airport (Image: Getty)
Budget carrier Ryanair has announced that 700,000 seats have been cut, 12 routes lost and two airports closed. The airline on May 8 announced the closure of its three aircraft Thessaloniki basein Greece and reductions in capacity at Athens Airport for winter 2026.
The company said the "loss in off-peak winter connectivity is the direct result of the hopelessly uncompetitive costs charged at the German-run Fraport Greece monopoly and Athens Airport."
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The Greek government in November 2024 made the decision to reduce the Airport Development Fee by 75% (from €12 to €3 per passenger) which should have directly stimulated year-round connectivity and tourism across Greece, the airline said.
"However, most Greek airports, particularly those run by Fraport Greece, refused to pass the tax cut onto passengers and instead have pocketed the tax cut for themselves," Ryanair's statement added.
"Since then, Fraport Greece have continued to increase charges, which are now +66% above their pre-Covid levels. Likewise, Athens Airport will hike charges this Winter."
Ryanair's statement continued: "Greek airports are no longer competitive in the off-peak shoulder and Winter months, when the tourism industry’s reliance on low-fare connectivity is most acute."
The company said it has been "left with no choice" but to relocate capacity to more competitive countries such as Albania, regional Italy, and Sweden. Airports in these countries have have passed on the savings from government tax reductions.
Ryanair Chief Commercial Officer, Jason McGuinness said: "The removal of three based aircraft, 500,000 seats (-60% vs. Winter ‘25) and 10 routes from Thessaloniki for Winter ‘26 will be devastating for the city and region, as Ryanair provided 90% of international capacity to Thessaloniki last Winter."
"Unfortunately, there will now be less low-cost air fares for Thessaloniki’s citizens and visitors, and year-round tourism will be harmed as a result."
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